Hose Storage Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The hose caddy for expandable hoses comprises a housing formed from a bottom surface and sidewalls to define an open interior. A top is hingedly coupled to the housing to control access to the interior of the housing. A flexible elongated body is coupled to the housing using a guidance rail assembly. The flexible elongated body can be extended or retracted along the guidance rail assembly, and includes a hook for attaching the hose caddy to a water faucet.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of apparatuses forsupporting expandable garden hoses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various means and methods are known in the art for storing conventionalflexible garden hoses when the hose is not in use. The proper storage ofgarden hoses is critical for protecting the hose from inadvertentpuncture from other gardening tools, damage due to hot temperatures(e.g., drying and cracking of the hose material), and damage due to coldtemperatures (e.g., freezing of standing water not properly removed fromthe hose after use). Aesthetically, proper storage of garden hoses canprotect the decor of the user's garden.

Hose reels, a common device designed to allow a conventional flexiblegarden hose to spin around a central element for storage, allow the userto wind the garden hose onto a storage caddy. In some arrangements, thecaddy can be rolled away for storage or attached near the water faucet.Another method is to store the garden hose in a pot. Typically, the pothas an opening for one end of the garden hose to attach to a waterfaucet, and a separate opening for the user to pull out the other end ofthe hose during use. The diameter of the pot is generally large, inorder to accommodate the length of the conventional flexible gardenhoses, which are cumbersome and bulky. Yet another method is the use ofa rack to store a garden hose. The rack is either affixed adjacent tothe water faucet or attached to a water faucet. The garden hose is woundaround the rack when it is not in use.

A disadvantage of the techniques described above is that they arespecifically designed for use with conventional flexible garden hoses,which are formed from resilient flexible material, such as rubber.Further, since a conventional hose with fluid therein is generally ofthe same length with fluid expelled, the techniques described above aredesigned to accommodate the fixed length of conventional garden hosesregardless of whether the hose is in use (i.e., with fluid therein).

For example, the methods described above are not optimal for coil hoses,which automatically retract when not in use. Specifically, a hose reelis not necessary, because the coil hose automatically, retracts due toits retracting force. Further, the retracting force of the coil hoseintroduces difficulties in keeping the ends of the coil hose outside theopenings of the pot during assembly. Also, when retracted, the size of acoil hose makes the use of a large pot obsolete. Finally, when retractedand fully coiled, a coil hose is difficult to wind onto a rack. Suchinherent disadvantages in the known methods for storing coil hoses havenot been entirely ignored. The methods developed to store coil hosesinclude a pole that is mounted horizontally or vertically. Other methodsinvolve wire holders that are adapted to hold a retracted coil hose.

Nevertheless, all the techniques described above are not optimal forstoring expandable hoses, which are capable of contracting to a smalllightweight size, unlike conventional heavy garden hoses. An example ofthis type of flexible hose can be found in Ragner U.S. Pat. No.6,948,527 entitled “Pressure-Actuated Linearly Retractable andExtendible Hose” which is directed to a hose for carrying fluidmaterials with a retractable and/or extendable means integrated with thehose. Retractable and extendable hoses of this nature are designed to beone length when fluid is within the hose and a substantially shorterlength when fluid is not within the hose. A common example of this typeof hose known in this field is a hose called the FLEX-ABLE HOSE®marketed by Tristar Products, Inc. In one example, this particular hosehas an expanded length of fifty feet and a retracted length of seventeenfeet.

A flexible expandable hose generally comprises a flexible elastic innertube and a flexible non-elastic fabric outer tube. The inner and outertubes are typically attached at the ends of the hose and may or many notbe attached there between. When in use, the inner tube expandslongitudinally and radially. The non-elastic outer tube restricts andcontracts the radial and longitudinal expansion of the expandable hose.When not in use the flexible expandable hose returns to a retracted andlightweight size. As a result, the use of a reel and pot areimpracticable, because the expandable hose in its retracted size caneasily be transported, is lightweight, and exhibits a shortenedretracted length. Similarly, there is no advantage to using a rack, dueto the ease of transporting a retracted expandable hose, unlikeconventional hoses that are cumbersome. Further, the horizontal andvertical poles used by the coil hose storage systems are not practicableor applicable because the expandable hose does not coil onto itself whenretracted.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a small and lightweightstorage apparatus for expandable garden hoses when not in use andconnected to a water faucet.

There is also a need in the art for a storage means that is easilyattached and removable from a water faucet.

There is a further need for a storage means that is adapted tofacilitate the draining of the hose when not in use. Such a draininghelps protect the hose from damage due cold temperatures and thefreezing of standing water within the hose.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a hose caddy for expandable hoses. The hose caddy comprisesa housing formed from a bottom surface and sidewalls to define an openinterior. A top is hingedly coupled to the housing to control access tothe interior of the housing. Further, a flexible elongated member iscoupled to the housing using a guidance assembly. The flexible elongatedmember includes a hook for attaching the hose caddy to a water faucet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figureswherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a hose caddy attached to awater faucet according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a hose caddy according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a left side view of a hose caddy attached to a waterfaucet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a hose caddy according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a hose caddy according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a hose caddy according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 illustrate another embodiment of theinvention.

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention,as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements ofthe structure and the combination of parts, will become more apparentupon consideration of the following detailed description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of thisspecification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following presents a detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the present invention with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a hose caddy 100 for expandable gardenhoses that, among other advantages and benefits, enables a user to storean entire expandable hose 200 or at least a portion thereof therein whenthe hose is not in use. FIG. 1A depicts hose caddy 100 attached to waterfaucet 300. Standard water faucets supply pressurized water ofapproximately 50-70 psi, and commercial applications supply generallyhigher pressures. An end of expandable hose 200 is coupled to waterfaucet 300. In the preferred embodiment, expandable hose 200 includes aflexible elastic inner tube positioned inside a non-elastic flexibleouter tube. The pressurized water from water faucet 300 flows within theinner tube. When not in use, expandable hose 200 is a retracted length,due to the retracting force of its construction. The non-elasticflexible outer tube is preferably formed from a woven fabric materialthat does not kink or twist. The fabric material appears wavelike orundulating when expandable hose 200 is retracted.

When expandable hose 200 is in use, the inner tube expands radially andlongitudinally when the internal force exerted by the introduction ofpressurized water from water faucet 300 is greater than the retractingforce of expandable hose 200. The non-elastic outer tube restricts theradius and length of expandable hose 200. In one embodiment, theretracting force is provided substantially by the elastic inner tube. Insome embodiments, the outer tube or a spring can provide a portion orall of the retracting force. Typically, expandable hose 200 expands to alength at least two times greater than its retracted length. Expandablehose 200 retracts to its retracted length, when the internal forcedexerted by the pressurized water in the inner tube is less than theretracting force of expandable hose 200.

As shown in FIG. 1A, expandable hose 200 is stored in hose caddy 100when not in use. Hose caddy 100 includes housing 110 formed from bottom104 and side walls 102. Housing 110 is preferably formed from alightweight plastic, and configured to fit within a common carriagedevice, such as a bucket. Other materials, such as aluminum, steel,brass or wood can be used without departing from the principlesdisclosed herein. Top 106 is disposed on the opening formed by housing110. In the preferred embodiment, top 106 is hingedly attached tohousing 110. Therefore, top 106 can be rotated to an open position whichprovides access to the interior of housing 110. In some embodiments, top106 can be snapped onto or made to slide onto housing 110. In otherembodiments, top 106 is omitted. Top 106 preferably includes aperture108. Aperture 108 provides outside access for an end of expandable hose200 from the interior of housing 110. As shown in FIG. 1A, aperture 108allows an end of hose 200 to remain attached to faucet 300 when not inuse. Additionally, aperture 108 can provide support for expandable hose200 when top 106 is rotated to an open or partially open position.

Hose caddy 100 further includes an elongated body or member 112. In thepreferred embodiment, elongated body or member 112 is shown as a flatpanel and is positioned on a substantially flat side of housing 110.Elongated body 112 includes hook 114 and is preferably formed from amaterial that can support the weight of hose caddy 100 and expandablehose 200. Hook 114 is preferably configured to securely attach hosecaddy 100 to water faucet 300. In a preferred embodiment, hook 114 ismanufactured of a smooth hooked shaped, however, it is readily apparentthat hook 114 can be any arrangement serving the purpose of attachingthe hose caddy 100 to water faucet 300, such as an oval or circular.According to an embodiment, hook 114 includes one or more notches 116 orextending portions that catches in slot 115 and prevents the member 112from falling or sliding down beyond its lowest position as shown in FIG.4. The hook 114 keeps the hose caddy 100 in a generally secured positionto prevent rotation of the hose caddy 100, or prevent easy removal fromwater faucet 300. Elongated body 112 is attached to housing 110 using avertical guidance rail assembly (described in further detail below andindicated as 130 in FIG. 3). Before attaching hook 114 to water faucet300, elongated body 112 slides upward along guide 132 and rails 136 ofvertical guidance rail assembly until the bottom of elongated body 112is locked in a fully extended position by a locking mechanism 134 ofvertical guidance rail assembly. Hook 114 can be used as a handle toeasily transport hose caddy 100, for example, to and from its storagelocation to water faucet 300 when elongated body 112 is fully extended.After removing hose caddy 100 from water faucet 300, elongated body 112can be lowered until elongated body 112 is locked into a retractedposition by the locking mechanism 134 of guidance rail assembly 130. Theretracted position allows for ease of storage of hose caddy 100. In thepreferred embodiment, the locking assembly forms a slot 115 configuredto catch notch 116 at the top of the hook and includes extrusions 126and 128 positioned at the bottom of elongated body 112. Other mechanismsfor locking elongated body 112 can be used without departing from thespirit of the invention. In other embodiments, elongated body 112 isfixed in an extended position.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a notch 116 is positioned on the upper portion ofelongated body 112. Notch 116 is configured to lock into lockingmechanism 134 when elongated body 112 is retracted. The lockingmechanism 134 forms, or may be regarded as constituting, slot 115 whichreceives the notch 116 to lock the notch 116 into the locking mechanism134. FIG. 2 illustrates housing 110 configured to rest substantiallyflat against the wall that faucet 300 is attached to. Such aconfiguration minimizes the size of hose caddy 100 and allows for easeof use on faucets with restrictive spacing. Further, this arrangementprovides a lighter caddy for the purposes of transportation. In someembodiments, the small size of hose caddy 100 allows it to be carried incommon carriage devices, for example a bucket. The bucket can includeother gardening tools or another hose caddy.

FIG. 3, shows a top view of hose caddy 100. In the preferred embodiment,top 106 has an area for indicia to be placed thereon such as a safetywarning, advertisement, or the like. Further, bottom 104 of housing 110has at least one aperture 120. Aperture 120 is preferably configured toallow standing water that has drained from expandable hose 200 to drainfrom housing 110. Also shown is guidance rail assembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 4, guidance rail assembly includes guide 132 andlocking mechanism 134 as well as rails 136. Guide 132 is preferablyarranged to direct the upward and downward motion of elongated body 112with the minimum amount of material to save costs and weight. In someembodiments, the length of guide 132 can extend to the full or partiallyretracted length of elongated body 112. In a preferred embodiment,locking mechanism 134 forms a slot 115. As elongated body 112 is moveddownward along guidance rail assembly 130, tab 118 is configured to passthrough locking mechanism 134, while notch 116 of elongated body 112 isconfigured to catch in the slot 115 of locking mechanism 134 and therebylimit any further downward movement of elongated body 112. In apreferred embodiment, the height of elongated body 112 in its retractedposition is less than or equal to the height of the housing 110 of thehose caddy 100. In other embodiments, the height of elongated body 112can be different from the height of hose caddy 100, without departingfrom the spirit and principles of the invention. As elongated body 112is made to slide upward along guidance rail assembly 130, tab 118 isconfigured to pass through locking mechanism 134, while first extrusion126 and second extrusion 128 positioned at the bottom of elongated body112 are configured to catch ledges 140 and 142 of guide 132. Tab 118 isconfigured to prevent elongated body 112 from sliding downward due togravity when elongated body 112 is fully extended. Prior to movingelongated body 112 downward along guidance rail assembly 130 tab 118 isdepressed to allow it to be configured to pass through locking mechanism134. FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of apertures 120, 122, and 124 on bottom104. The apertures allow standing water to be drained from expandablehose 200 when it is stored within hose caddy 100.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 illustrate another embodiment of theinvention. This embodiment of the invention differs from the earlierembodiments in that the member 112 rides through the guide 132 withoutsupport from the rails 136. The member 112 hangs alongside the caddybody. The notch 116 on the hook 114 passes through the slot 115 in theguide 132 and prevents the member 112 from falling below its lowestposition. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are somewhat schematic in their dimensionalrelations but serve to illustrate the functions of the constituents.

In operation, a person draws the hook 114 and member 112 upwardlythrough the guide 132 until the tab 118 prevents any further upwardmovement of the member 112 beyond the guide 132, and hangs the caddy ona faucet. After use of the hose, the hose can be returned to the caddyand if desired, the caddy can be removed from the faucet. To collapsethe caddy, a user pushes the tab 118 to permit lowering of the member112 until the tab 116 enters the slot 115 in the guide 132.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the principlesdisclosed in the present invention can be applied to other industriesand data types.

Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, techniques, methods, processes, systems, and operatingstructures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in awide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite differentfrom those in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the bestembodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for theclaims herein which define the scope of the present invention.

None of the terms used herein, including “force,” “restrictor,” “hose,”“housing,” and “faucet” are meant to limit the application of theinvention. Any reference to a “retract” or “contract” is exemplary andis not intended to limit the application of the invention. The terms areused to illustrate the preferred embodiment and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the use of these terms isnot meant to limit the scope or application of the invention, as theinvention is versatile and can be utilized in many applications, as willbe apparent in light of the disclosure set forth herein.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment, which has been set forth in considerable detailfor the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, thepreferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to belimiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of theinvention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be definedsolely by the claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill inthe art that numerous changes may be made in such details withoutdeparting from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It shouldbe appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodiedin other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hose caddy system, comprising: a housingcomprising: a bottom surface; and a side wall defining an open interior;an elongated body comprising: a receiving portion at a first end; and anattachment assembly at a second end; and a flexible expandable hosecomprising: a retracting means; and a control means;
 2. The hose caddyof claim 1, wherein: the side wall comprises: a substantial flatportion; and a substantially semi-circular portion
 3. The hose caddy ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes at least one aperture. 4.The hose caddy of claim 3 wherein the size of the at least one aperturedoes not permit an end of the flexible expandable hose to pass through.5. The hose caddy of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is a hook.6. The hose caddy of claim 1, wherein: the attachment assemblycomprises: a guide; and a locking member.